Agoura Shuts Off Oxnard Rally, 84-73

AGOURA HILLS —  When Agoura High took a 12-point lead just before halftime of Tuesday night’s Southern Section Division II-AA boys’ basketball playoff game against Oxnard, it appeared only a matter of time before the Chargers would put it away.

After all, Oxnard had just lost their leading scorer in the game because of a knee injury and Agoura was having its way.

But the Yellowjackets rallied in the third quarter to pull to within a point before Agoura could pull away for an 84-73 victory.

Oxnard (13-11) finished its first winning season since 1985.

Agoura’s Ben Richardson scored 16 of his 21 points in the first half to fuel the Chargers’ 42-34 halftime lead.

But the Chargers (15-9) missed seven of eight shots to open the second half and Oxnard pulled to within 44-43 midway through the third quarter.

“We got the ball inside to Ben really well in the first half,” point guard Brian Laibow said. “We should have done it more but they started double-teaming him.”

Laibow took matters into his own hands and scored eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter.

But Oxnard would not go quietly. Sophomore Ross Randolph scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Oxnard center Walter Glover scored 11 points in the first half but injured his left knee just before halftime. Glover returned in the second half but quickly got into foul trouble.

Agoura was able to find a seam in the Oxnard zone defense for several uncontested baskets by Richardson and reserve Joel Weiss to take the lead in the first quarter.

The Yellowjackets stayed within four points until Richardson’s dunk extended the Chargers’ lead to 32-23 midway through the second quarter.

Agoura’s Maurice Moore had 12 points and Chris Driscoll added 10.

Steve Vaca scored 14 points and Danny Sweeney had 13 for Oxnard.